Author's Note
Hey there! I must apologise for the long absence from FF. Some of you were aware from the last time I wrote that I had some issues to deal with. Well, it's still ongoing, and to top it off, I had to go for a surgery myself. Thankfully, I'm back. I'm in some pain post-surgery, but otherwise it's all good. I'm not able to pick up the pace just yet - at least until I recover fully. Do be patient while I recover from my surgery. Well then, Act 2: Chapter 2 for your enjoyment!
Chapter 2
"Onii-sama!"
Crimson rivers flowed in the sand, and as it met the clear waters of the shore, it dissipated almost akin to watching the vapour of one's breath in a cold day, only slower, and that the process stained the clear waters red.
"Why do you behave so, onii-sama? Was it something that destroys our honour?"
Ajax Telamonian, the Greek hero celebrated among his contemporaries, be it friend or foe. The crimson rivers in the sand found its source from his body, pierced through by his own sword as he fell upon it. Before him, stood his younger brother, Teucer, distraught by the sight before him.
"You don't understand how much we deserved it, ototo-sama. I was the one that held the entire Trojan army at bay when we retrieved the body of Achilles. All I asked for in return was his legendary armour forged by Hephaestus himself! And our great friend Odysseus should himself have recognised it, but he took the armour for himself!"
"But, onii-sama.. is it far too great a shame to the extent that you should take your own life?"
"I am forever in shame, for being unconquered in the midst of our peers, and for lacking the silver tongue of Odysseus. Perhaps, there is no place for those with the strength of arms anymore in this world. Thus, I shall go ahead of you to the afterlife where I shall contend with the souls of fallen warriors while Hades watches. Therefore, farewell, ototo-sama. May we meet again in the afterlife."
"Onii-sama!"
Luvia was jolted awake in cold sweat. The tragedy she experienced was that of her Servant. She read all about the exploits of her Servant, but experiencing it in the form of a dream was something else altogether.
"I'm sorry that you had to experience it for yourself, although I meant not to show it to you."
It was Archer, seated on the floor in a corner, gritting his teeth.
"How long were you here, sitting in my room?" Luvia asked.
"For as long as you were dreaming," Archer replied, voice quivering. "I was distressed by the recurrence of my visions, thus I returned to your quarters and found you experiencing the same." Archer stood up before long, as he talked. "My apologies for being here unannounced. I needed to see a familiar face to calm down."
"O-oh. Don't mention it." Luvia stammered.
"I shall return to my post."
"A-Archer, if you wish, you can remain here so you can compose yourself."
"Many thanks, Master. I am fine now, so allow me to return to my post."
Luvia found it a little strange that Archer was behaving unlike his usual self, but she figured that Archer was struggling with his past and needed some time alone, so she allowed her Servant to return to his post. She continued to sit in her bed, huddled with her pillow, reflecting on what she saw in her dream.
"I figured I would find you here if I waited long enough."
Shiro was standing at the rooftop by the time Archer returned, aiming his bow and arrow at a tree some distance away.
Thwack!
Shiro's arrow struck the tree, destroying the arrow from his previous shot lodged on its trunk.
"Practicing your archery, huh?" Archer said.
"I need to keep myself sharp for the upcoming battles," Shiro replied.
"You could use some competition, then," Archer replied. "And I could use some distraction from my troubles."
"What trouble do you speak of?" Shiro asked quizzically.
Archer's bow materialised in his hands as he took aim at the arrow lodged in the tree. "Facing my onii-sama as enemies."
Thwack!
A fine hit. Shiro eyed that shot with a measure of admiration, and nocked another arrow to his bow and took aim.
"Do you have the resolve to fight against him?"
Thwack!
Archer let out a breath, half in amazement at Shiro's accuracy with the bow, and half in exasperation having to deal with a complicated scenario. Despite the mixed feelings, Archer nocked another arrow to his bow and took aim.
"I don't know. I guess I will find out when I have to fight him," Archer said as he released his arrow.
Thwack!
Yet another fine hit. Shiro was amazed that Archer's focus was so sharp that he could hit his targets despite being of a troubled mind. Nonetheless, Shiro nocked another arrow to his bow and took aim.
"If all that fails, I may have to destroy Viola's command seals, or kill her if I can't," Shiro said weakly.
Thwack!
The arrow missed. Just slightly. Archer stared at Shiro.
"You can't bring yourself to do that?"
"I'd steer clear of killing if I could help it," Shiro replied. "I have killed other magi before, and I don't enjoy it one bit. I had to do it because innocent people were in trouble and killing that magus would usually mean protecting innocents from harm," Shiro continued. "But right now, all the magi in the Sophia-Ri faction are not causing harm to innocent people. Thus, I cannot bring myself to kill them."
"Ah, so that's what makes you lose your focus, kid." Archer said. "Well then, if it helps you, look at it this way. If you do not kill that magus when you have to, then the completion of the Grail would cause more deaths. At least according to Lord El-Melloi."
"You should refer to him as Lord El-Melloi the second, otherwise he would throw a fit," Shiro said with a chuckle. "And thanks for that reminder. I guess it was pretty timely for me to hear that." Shiro nocked two arrows to his bow and took aim.
Thwack! Thwack!
Both arrows shot by Shiro found its mark in the two arrows lodged in the tree.
"Good to know that, kid." Archer replied. "Sometimes, things take a while to be understood by mere humans. In the end, I'm sure whatever things that came to pass, good or bad, would work out to be a good thing for us later on."
Shiro said nothing in reply, instead he nodded at Archer and left the rooftop.
"Shiiiiirooooo. Is breakfast reaaadyyy?"
Rin's morning struggles usually consisted of her sleepy murmurs and constant tossing and turning about. Of course, when Shiro is out on a job, she would have to eventually cease her morning ritual of calling out for her husband mindlessly and go prepare her own breakfast, or to be exact, brunch, by the time she actually gets out of bed. With Shiro around, however, she knew that breakfast would be promptly served at 8.30am every morning, just after the alarm clock goes off.
However, it's 9am now. She is out with Shiro on a job, but he was nowhere to be seen or heard. She can't even sense the familiar smell of bacon and eggs and Earl Grey tea wafting in the air as he is cooking breakfast.
This wasn't like Shiro at all.
Rin slowly got up, rubbing her eyes and staring blankly at the other half of the bed where Shiro would usually sleep. Rin looked around blankly for a moment before slowly getting out of bed and wandering out of the room in search of Shiro.
The sound of arrows hitting a nearby tree outside of the mansion caught her attention.
It must be Shiro. He always does that if he needs some time to think and reflect. Upon remembering that, she decided to try and get up to the roof to find out if there was anything bothering Shiro. However, as she was at the window, about to attempt her ascent to the roof, she could hear her husband's conversation with Archer rather clearly.
"If all that fails, I may have to destroy Viola's command seals, or kill her if I can't," said Shiro as he released his arrow, missing his target.
"You can't bring yourself to do that?" Archer's voice was heard asking Shiro.
"I'd steer clear of killing if I could help it," Shiro replied. "I have killed other magi before, and I don't enjoy it one bit. I had to do it because innocent people were in trouble and killing that magus would usually mean protecting innocents from harm," Shiro continued. "But right now, all the magi in the Sophia-Ri faction are not causing harm to innocent people. Thus, I cannot bring myself to kill them."
"Ah, so that's what makes you lose your focus, kid." Archer said. "Well then, if it helps you, look at it this way. If you do not kill that magus when you have to, then the completion of the Grail would cause more deaths. At least according to Lord El-Melloi."
"You should refer to him as Lord El-Melloi the second, otherwise he would throw a fit," Shiro said with a chuckle. "And thanks for that reminder. I guess it was pretty timely for me to hear that." Shiro nocked two arrows to his bow and took aim, hitting both targets when he released his arrows.
Rin exhaled and continued to look out of the window, her gaze fixated on the white, puffy clouds.
Shiro's fight with the Heroic Spirit EMIYA is still raging on, inside his mind, and inside his very being. It happens especially every time he has to kill in order to save a life. Time and time again, he would return home distraught at himself. Perhaps, that person could have been saved. Perhaps, that person could be reasoned with. Perhaps, all these deaths were unnecessary. Unfortunately, there would have been more deaths if he didn't do it.
The irony of it all.
"Eh? You have been here all along?" Shiro asks, standing at the other end of the corridor.
"For the most part, yes."
"You overheard it all?"
"Yes," Rin said, walking towards Shiro and wrapping her arms around him. "Shiro, whatever it is, remember your answer to him. Do you remember?"
"Yes," Shiro said, pulling Rin closer toward him. "I know it's flawed, but I will stay true to my ideals. If I have to hurt or kill someone in the process of saving the world, I will do what I have to."
"Ah," Rin said. The two remained in a close embrace for quite a while. She remembers that Shiro needs encouragement like this from time to time, especially when faced with such a contradiction with his ideals. In a way, the both of them were thankful of the forewarning that they received ten years ago. And to this day, Rin would stubbornly persist in doing whatever it took to ensure that Shiro remains true to his ideals without losing hope.
"Oh, and Rin, I will make sure I do not end up like him now, or in the future. I have you and the children, after all," Shiro continued.
"I know, Shiro. I believe in you," Rin said as she tightened her embrace with Shiro. "Even so, I won't let you go."
"Neither would I. After all these years, I only know one thing - which is, I have fallen hopelessly in love with you ever since that time."
"That's the first time I hear you expressing your feelings to me in words," Rin said, pulling herself away from Shiro and looking at him with a funny face.
Shiro snorted. "But I did show you how much I love you, right?"
"What, only when you're getting into bed with me? I was the one openly showing my affection to you all this while, and in public, no less," Rin said, poking Shiro in the rib.
"Ah, but.." Shiro mumbled.
"Oh well, I discovered after all these years that you're not that type of guy, and I accept and love that side of you anyway."
"B-but do you want me to be more affectionate to you, then?"
"It's up to you, Shiro," Rin said, pulling him downstairs to the kitchen. "Now, you have been keeping your woman waiting for her breakfast for a long time now. If you want to show me affection, you can begin by cooking me a special breakfast."
"Yeah, yeah." Shiro said, smiling as he donned the apron and washed his hands in preparation for cooking.
"Rin, there is a Servant standing just outside the bounded field," Saber said, calling out from the front of the house. "It's Assassin."
Shiro quickly removed his apron and got out of the mansion, motioning for Rin to stay close to him.
"What brings you here, Assassin?" Archer called out from the roof, his bow drawn. Luvia emerged from the mansion, standing behind Shiro and Rin, while Lord El-Melloi II came up from the basement and out of the mansion.
"I'm here to invite the red haired magus standing over there to an audience with my Master," Assassin replied.
"And why does your Master want to see me? Shiro asked in reply.
"He says he has a proposition for you," came the reply.
"Zouken? Trying to proposition me?" Shiro wondered aloud.
"It might be a trap for you," Rin replied.
Shiro looked at Assassin. "Tell your Master I refuse to see him in any way except for him dead," Shiro said, turning to enter the mansion.
"I'm told to kill you and everyone else here if you refuse," Assassin replied. "It's fine by me, since we desire to see you dead for killing one of us."
"What did you say?"
"I believe my words were loud and clear, magus." Assassin's face may have been concealed by a mask, but it was clear to everyone that he was sneering at Shiro. For some reason, his intentions were laid bare for everyone to see. "I will kill you and everyone else here if you re-"
Thwack!
An arrow lodged firmly on the ground, in between Assassin's feet.
Shiro lowered his bow slightly. "I heard you, Assassin. I wanted you to repeat yourself so I have a reason to shoot you."
Assassin glared at Shiro. "You can't possibly defeat us, magus! The last time you defeated one of us, was mere fluke. This time, you would not stand a chance."
Shiro exhaled.
"Emiya, remember what I told you about this Servant," Lord El-Melloi II said.
"Yeah I know," Shiro replied. Turning to Assassin, Shiro took a step forward. "Fine then, I will hear your Master out. I'm to follow you to him, am I right?"
"An unwise decision, magus. It'd be better off for you to refuse the offer and just die," Assassin replied. "However, I am bound by Master's orders. Therefore, you are to come with me."
"Shiro," Rin whimpered, holding on to his overcoat.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Lord El-Melloi II already told me how this Servant was defeated in the previous War," Shiro said. "Compared to any of the Servants, this one won't be as troublesome."
"Okay. Please be careful, Shiro."
"Ah, I will."
With his well-built frame showing no fear in the eyes of those watching him, Shiro followed Assassin and disappeared into the distance.
"Saber, follow them. Assist Shiro if he is dragged into a fight," Rin said, turning to Saber.
"Understood, Rin," Saber replied.
"Ah, hold on," Archer said. Everyone's heads turned to him as he jumped down from the roof. "I will go instead. Saber cannot be in ethereal form to remain out of sight, but I can. So let me go in her stead."
"Archer is right, Rin. I am lacking the ability to enter an ethereal state due to my status as an incomplete Servant," Saber said.
"Well then, Luvia, with your permission," Rin said as she cast a glance at Luvia.
"Of course, Archer. Go and back Shero up if anything happens."
"Understood, Master," Archer said, fading into his ethereal form.
"Master, you need to see this."
Mikhel walked over to Caster, who was staring intently at the canvas sheet acting as a monitor that displayed whatever the familiars were watching.
"What in the... is this really happening?"
The images seen on the canvas monitor was grainy at best, and did not bear any characteristics which would put it on par with the latest high definition television displays that had a far more lifelike appearance thanks to millions of tiny light-emitting diodes packed together in a small space. However, the image currently seen on the monitor was unmistakable.
It was Emiya Shiro, and he was following the Assassin-class Servant somewhere.
"Is Emiya in cahoots with Assassin's Master, too?" Mikhel wondered aloud.
"I doubt it," Caster replied. "Look at how tense the boy is following Assassin."
Mikhel leaned forward to get a closer look. "I can't really tell. How do you know of this?"
"It comes from experience," Caster said slowly, running her fingers on Mikhel's body.
"Uhh," Mikhel felt his body weakening. "A-are you s-sure it's okay f-for us to do this? Sir Bram m-might not a-approve of this."
"Be at ease, Master. We don't have to go all the way. You know, I have come to enjoy our time together. It has been a while since I came across a strong man as innocent as you are," Caster replied. She slowly embraced Mikhel and leaned into him.
"I-I don't understand."
"I have a wish to fulfill, should we win the Grail."
"W-what's your w-wish?"
"I wish to remain in this world. With you, Master," Caster said slowly.
"I-I feel the same way, Caster."
"That is indeed pleasing to hear. I was afraid that you did not reciprocate my wish or my feelings. However, we have a problem that is keeping us away from fulfilling our wish."
Mikhel did not reply immediately. Deep inside, he was aware of the obstacle before their wish. "Sir Bram's Servant was meant to remain of our faction after we defeat Tohsaka's and Edelfelt's Servants."
"That alone does not vex me so, but Rider has not been diplomatic or helpful to our cause. I fear that we will not be able to manipulate Rider to our own plans."
"There is something I could try and reason with Sir Bram," Mikhel said. "I am just unsure if he would agree with it. I will discuss this matter with you after we observe Emiya's movements."
Almost as if was on cue, the familiar that was observing Shiro captured the image of Assassin and Shiro entering the Matou's mansion.
"Shall we go and attack? We could take out both Emiya and Assassin at the same time."
"I advise you against such a tactic, Master," Caster replied. "Rushing into a fight where there is an unknown force present may not work well in our favour. We should hold our attack until that boy is alone."
"Hmmm. Fine, then."
Mikhel and Caster continued to observe the monitor intently, awaiting for the best moment to strike against Shiro.